Water Resource Permitting

1. Water Resource Permitting Purpose & Need

3. Purpose & Need “a P & N statement should be a simple statement of why the project is proposed and what deficiencies and transportation problems need to be addressed.” • It should clearly demonstrate that a “need” exists. • Minnesota Local Road Authority Reference Guide section 5.1 (page 19)

4. The P&N statement is used by the Corps to complete the 404 evaluation of the project. • It establishes why a road authority is proposing to expend money. • Minnesota Local Road Authority Reference Guide section 5.1 (page 19)

5. The goal of Purpose & Need is to: • Clearly demonstrate “need” • Identify problem that needs correction • Form basis for “no build*” comparison • Drive alternatives discussion • Support selection of preferred alternative • For WCA purposes, P & N is used to determine eligibility for using BWSR road bank replacement

6. Please keep in mind that… • “There may be more than one way to address the problem or need, but the purpose statement should not identify how the problem will be solved.” • Minnesota Local Road Authority Reference Guide section 5.1 (page 19)

7. Now let’s take a look at some Purpose & Need statements taken from actual permit applications.

8. Can you pick out the purpose & need statements? • The purpose of this project is to improve roadway safety through the reconstruction of the existing roadway to meet 30 MPH design standards. The need is because the existing roadway lacks the required roadway width, side slopes, recovery areas, curve geometry and sightlines. Additionally, the existing culvert has a poor alignment with the creek channel.

9. What is good about this example? What is not a purpose or need? • The purpose of this project is to improve roadway safety through the reconstruction of the existing roadway to meet 30 MPH design standards. The need is because the existing roadway lacks the required roadway width, side slopes, recovery areas, curve geometry and sightlines.

10. The last sentence in this example begs a question… • Additionally, the existing culvert has a poor alignment with the creek channel.

11. Example 2 • Our next example

12. To address existing and future traffic operations, this project will replace the signalized intersection at CSAH 50 and CSAH 60 with a multi-lane roundabout. • The crash rate at the CSAH 50 and CSAH 60 intersection is double the statewide average, emphasizing the need for improvements to the intersection traffic control to help improve safety.

13. What is good about this example? What is not a purpose or need? • To address existing and future traffic operations, this project will replace the signalized intersection at CSAH 50 and CSAH 60 with a multi-lane roundabout. • The crash rate at the CSAH 50 and CSAH 60 intersection is double the statewide average, emphasizing the need for improvements to the intersection traffic control to help improve safety.

14. Purpose & Need – simply put • Purpose & Need = the WHAT & WHY • Purpose = WHAT will the project accomplish? • Need = WHY is there a problem? • These two building blocks provide support for alternatives analysis. • Alternatives analysis = options for HOW to fix problem • Preferred alternative = the “best” HOW option • Project description = details of the best HOW option

15. Examples of Need • Audience examples of project needs: • What are some typical problems with our roadways?

16. Examples of Needs/problems • Accidents/crashes • Structural deficiencies: culverts, shoulders, pavement • Intersection deficiencies • Sight distance deficiencies • Drainage problems • Failure to meet design standards • Storm water treatment • Pedestrian/multimodal needs

17. Purpose & Need • The purpose & need statement can be stated in a single sentence or paragraph for minor activities. • The purpose & need statement is best separated into two separate paragraphs/sections for more complicated projects.

18. Which is not a P & N statement? • The purpose of the project is to reduce crashes at the intersection of TH 191 and January Lane. • The purpose of the project is to address deficiencies of a bridge. • The purpose of the project is to rebuild the intersection of CSAH 11 and TH 22 • The purpose of the project is to repair/replace 12 culverts that have various deficiencies.

19. In summary…….

20. A suggestion……. • It may seem rather elementary, but a good way to discipline yourself when presenting your P & N is to start off your sentences by stating: • “The purpose of the project is to ……….” • and • “The project will address the following needs or problems:………”

21. A suggestion……. • Although we are encouraging a brief and succinct statement of Purpose & Need, we want you to provide supporting narrative/documentation as appropriate. • Think of your opening P & N statement as an executive summary, to be followed by a discussion of applicable rationale . • It is in your best interest to present information that the reader can readily identify and use in their review.

22. In closing……. • If you focus on identifying the problem(s) – • the purpose statement should come easily.

23. For example: • What is the purpose statement for this need? • Crash rates along this segment of CSAH XX are above typical crash rates for similar roadways.

24. For example: • What is the need behind this purpose statement? • The purpose of the project is to ensure that Highway Y remains open during 100-year flood events.